India Batsmen Were in ODI Mode in Mohali Test vs South Africa: Sunil Gavaskar
Sunil Gavaskar blamed poor shot selection and unnatural nature of the Mohali wicket for India's 201 all out in the first Test against South Africa.
"Virat Kohli needed a big knock to celebrate his birthday, but the pace of the Mohali pitch did him in," said Sunil Gavaskar on Thursday. He was explaining India's shoddy batting on Day 1 of the Mohali Test against South Africa.(Day 1 Report | Scorecard | Highlights)
After opting to bat first, India were all out for 201, a score Kohli would never have bargained for in his first Test as captain at home. But he was finally smiling when South Africa fought the spin demons even as shadows lengthened and the floodlights came on.
But for a crucial 42-run eighth wicket partnership between Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin, India would have not crossed 200 runs on a wicket that was slow, low and abrasive.
"It was not a regular Mohali wicket. There was no bounce, no carry and Virat was a victim as he got a leading edge against a pacer (debutant Kagiso Rabada)," said Gavaskar, adding that "250" would have been ideal score.
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'Elgar, caught India by Surprise'
India were caught by surprise by part-time left-arm spinner Dean Elgar, whose four for 22 off eight overs broke the back of the Indian batting. Poor shot selection and the probably a hint of over-confidence cost the top-order dear, felt Gavaskar.
"The Indians were still in ODI mode. Some of them played limited overs strokes. There were some fine deliveries too but the concentration seemed to slacken against non-regular bowlers," said Gavaskar on STAR Sports.
The former Indian Test captain had praise for Elgar, who opened the South African batting later in the day and survived a probing phase of spin bowling from Ashwin, Jadeja and Amit Mishra.
"Elgar bowled fuller length, was not afraid to toss the ball and he made the difference by bowling slower (than Imran Tahir and Simon Harmer)," said Gavaskar.
'Amla, De Villiers wickets key'
A wicket apiece by Jadeja and Ashwin helped India split honours with South Africa (28/2) by stumps on Day 1. Stiaan van Zyl and Faf du Plessis were both out not offering bat to deliveries that hurried off the wicket. Elgar and skipper Hashim Amla were unbeaten, never comfortable in their stay in the middle
Gavaskar feels Amla and AB de Villiers' wickets will be key on Day 2 on Friday. A patient Amla (9)showed his experience in batting on turning wickets. De Villiers, of course, is a superman, according to Gavaskar.
"India have a foot in the door," said Gavaskar. Can they force it open and pin South Africa on the mat?